The annual Italian Festival, held at the elegant, picturesque Idiom wine estate in Somerset West, invites guests to embark on a wine-and-food pairing journey while enjoying traditional Italian entertainment and activities. The gathering is known for its incredible imported wine tastings, Italian cooking masterclasses, traditional street food, live Italian music, and swoon-worthy cars.
Tuscan Flag Throwers Performance, Italian Live Music and Children’s Activities
This year, the Italian Festival is including a unique traditional performance by the Medieval flag throwers from Arezzo, Tuscany. Idiom has partnered with the Italian Embassy, the Italian Consulate and the Italian Institute of Culture in Pretoria to bring the ‘Sbandieratori d’Arezzo’ to the Festival.
Special occasions in Florence and Tuscany are often marked with street parades featuring flag throwers and flag wavers. The art of flag throwing dates back to Medieval and Renaissance times when military parades would be accompanied by each town’s band of merry musicians and their colourful flag wavers. Performances by the sbandieratori will take place a couple of times each day.
Live music is yet another reason to attend the Italian Festival, with local and Italian bands and artists scheduled for various points over the weekend (don’t miss Cape Town’s Francesca Biancoli singing Neapolitan songs). This event is also well known for being family-friendly, with several Italian-themed kids’ activities such as pizza-making, mosaicking, face painting, and a football penalty shootout competition.
A Festival for the Senses: Italian Street Food and Tuscan Wine
Now we get to the main reason to attend the Italian Festival: the abundance of fine wine and excellent Italian food.
In its 2024 edition, the Italian Festival at Idiom shines a spotlight on the beautiful Toscana region, renowned for its romantic landscapes and notable wine regions. From Chianti to Brunello di Montalcino, attendees will have the opportunity to savour the finest wines Tuscany has to offer. For lovers of bubbly, the Prosecco tent and the Almare Spritz area offer delightful options, too.
Foodies are well looked after with the chance to sample the regional diversity of authentic Italian dishes, prepared by participating Italian guest chefs and suppliers.
A Masterclass in Italian Food and Drink: Italian Wine & Cooking Demos
Italian Festival attendees will be able to sign up for informative wine masterclasses scheduled throughout the event. Daily show-cooking demonstrations will highlight the culinary skill and flavours behind each dish, emphasising the importance of regional provenance of ingredients and wines.
NOTE: Tickets for these masterclasses must be purchased in addition to the festival entry ticket, available on Webtickets.
VIP Option: The Italian Festival, Elevated
After many requests from previous editions, Idiom has created a VIP tent with a dedicated bar and service. VIP guests can look forward to a complimentary antipasto platter on arrival and a curated goodie bag. The area will have a prime view of the Flag Wavers and the live music performances.
The festival is also offering several different ticket options, allowing guests to attend for shorter or longer sections of the weekend. NOTE: Tickets for the masterclasses must be purchased in addition to the festival entry ticket. Masterclass tickets are also available on available on the Idiom website.
Cost: From R100 to R900pp. Book through Webtickets
When: Saturday 2 March & Sunday 3 March, from 10am
Where: Idiom, Sir Lowrys Pass Rd, Somerset West, Cape Town
Website: italianfestival.co.za and idiom.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 858 1088
Instagram: @idiom_wines
Facebook: @IdiomWines
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